Tistletoehead—
I don’t know why I take time to post pictures or information since
you seem to be some kind of an expert.
Of course it showed westerns, cause that is all I cared about as a
boy.
At least I kept everything, and for pleasure for those like you who
know everything I have made available hundreds of pictures for Don’s Flickers.
Check them out, and see how many is real or phony.
If you don’t like westerns, then don’t look, because I don’t look at yours
BILLY W . HOLCOMB

Chuck—Hodge—Not Hall operated the Ector 1951-1985, it was opened
August 1, 1951 with Half Angel starring Joseph Cotton & Loretta Young
H. J. Hodge still resides at Odessa, and came to the city with the
opening of the new Ector in 1951
Billy Holcomnb

I just noticed Cinema Treasures has 3 sites for the Rio, So I am
transfurring my history of the Rio beginnings, so it will be here
with mostly most comments on the current Rio.
The structure was first opened at 120 West 4th street as the Palace
Theater by Joe Rice in October, 1927.
It was Odessa’s second theater, and equipped with 400 seating.
Located directly behind the Odessa Theater, which had also been opened by Mr. Rice.
In March 1928, H.T. Hodge founder of H & H Theater with headquarters at Abilene took over operations of the Palace & Odessa Theaters.
Hodge put his son in law Jack Laird in charge(Laird’s son still resides in Odessa)
Laird & Hodge were also instrumental in later openings in Odessa of
the Ector/Plaza/Texas/Lyric & Broncho Drive In.
The Palace fell into bad times during the big depression, and closed
in July 1932.
On March 30, 1934 James King reopened the theater as the new State,
but found out it was a chore competing with H & H Circuit, and threw
in the towel closing the State in early 1935. >> ENTER THE RIO.
The Scott Family reopened the theater in 1936 renaming it to the RIO.
This Rio was in oepration for 6 years, when the Scott’s built a NEW RIO at the corner of 6th & Grant with an 800 seating capacity, which
was the second RIO in Odessa.
This RIO was in operation for 15 years when it was destroyed by fire.
The walls only survived and can be seen at the corner site.
The Scott was built in 1947 next door to the Rio, and was operated
until 1959 when demand caused a new Scott to be built which I think
still stands but in disaray.
The RIO Marquee in limbo a couple years was brought out and went up
on the original Scott, and 50 years later after many up & downs with
changes and owners the first SCOTT building is still rememebered as
the RIO———-Hope this clears up some of the RIO’s foggy history.
I will be providing Don’s Flicker site with a number of old original
ads from all 3 historic RIO’S—CHECK OUT HIS SITE FOR PICTURES OF ALL OLD ODESSA MOVIE THEATERS.
ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME OLD ADS OF ANY ODESSA THEATERS
EMAIL ME Billy Holcomb———-sorry for outburst
Abilene

CORRECRIONS IS RIGHT—The North park never reopened after closing.
The building was remodled, but no movies returned..
Wallace Operated Century 12 & Hollywood, and I think in 2011 they
still are, bt not positive,
United Artists got crushed by the Government—Never did know what
Billy H——————

I urge evryone to check out all the Rio pictures on Don Lewis Vanishing Theaters SEE ABOVE —
ALL 3 RIO STRUCTURES ARE THERE, an notice Billy H Provide the pictures having worn myself thin diggin while others set themselves up stealing, and professing to know what is what..
The Rio was wonderful—Provided entertainment for troves of people
who spent hours in its magic, and can spout memeories in volumn.
billy h.

The Rio History above by me Billy Holcomb is Correct.
I have documented proof of what I listed.
I spent years finding the exact dates of openings—closings-operations.
I traced and searched it out to a complete history of all 3 buildings from actual plans/city directories/newspapers/ and
actual owners from the late Mr. Scott in 1959, and Boots Scott
thru the ninties, and many owners & decendents of owners of all
theaters.
In fact My book on the Odessa Theaters can be viewed in the
Southwest Archives at the library in Odessa-
Anyone who claims to have the complete history has to have gotten it out of my laborous toils to get it from forever being hidden.
It was me who did the work—IT IS RIGHT…Billy Holcomb

I did some checking 03-04-2011, and found a prjectionist and his daughter, and they both confirmed the theater was on the site of the now Trails End Restaurant.
The Snack bar is intact , and survives, and can be seen on Don Lewis
Vanishing Theater image site.
Billy H

The way to find an address is quiet exoensiveI should Know_ I have
spent a lot contacting libraries & historic museums, which charge a healthy sum to go thru old city directories to give an address, if they have old city directories, which many don’t.
I have addresses to all the pictures of theaters that are dear to me.
Others, you will just have to go thru the same process—Too Expensive
Billy Holcomb-AKA: Panhandle.
I am also sorry for taking an undue shot at you..I Apologize.

Mike thanks for your encouraging words to Don instead of hitting him with more than what he has to offer.
He offers what he has, and that is not enough for those who never spend hours digging for the small bit of info which is rarely available after weeks of labor.
Again thanks for encouraging Don with your kind words..
Billy Holcomb

I am not an expert, but I am a collector of old post cards of oldtime movie theaters.
3 people who do not claim to be the smartest in the world, but enjoy sharing what we do have and know, which is not evrything, and in some things hardly nothing.
If you rvb are so smart.
Why didn’t you post the picture, and give us the history.
Bet I had the picture, before you were born.
Incidently, I had the picture because I enjoy the pictures, which
seems to be much more than what you have.
If you know so much use your 4th place to give ebyone the lowdown.
If it had not been posted by Don, You would never had an oportunity to mouth off—You are like so many idiot experts

I am a bit confused on your comment, Autry showing up twice Rogers none.
Smalley’s ran the Autry’s & Rogers feature as they came out for years
a number of times.
As far as the address, I will try and dig it out, but most of the
time, these old flyers & newspapers did not add an address since they were local events.
thanks billy holcomb

Texas preservation groups are in the minority, and most who can do anything pertaining to old movie palace’s have no sense of history.
Many structures which housed old theaters still stand, but most are
too young to realize they onced were theaters.
It is an uphill battle everywhere, but in Texas, old theaters are
at the bottom of the list for consideration, although they were so
much for progress half a century ago.
Pictures are very rare of old theaters, but show up on Don’s site. billy h.

I do not wish to et involved, but there is not really a huge story behind these theaters at Gainesville.
The Majestic opened in 1905, and a couple months later the Favorite was opened.
In early 1907 the Happy Hour as opended, and within two months the Majestic & Favorite were closed.
A second Majjestic was opened, and gainesville had again only two theaters, which lasted 3 years.
In 1909 the second Majestic became the Lyric, and Happy Hour was closed leaving Gainesville with only one theater, but later that
year the Lyric was closed and Electric was opened, and Gainesville
again had only one theater.
In 1910 a 3rd Majestic was opened while the electric was closed and
Gainesville again had only the Majestic.
So see it was not all it looked to be, as Gainesville had around 15
thousand population.
Over the years Gainesville had a number of theaters.
At one time during the 40’s there was 6 theaters operating in the
town.
Don Lewis—Billy Smith—Billy Holcomb

I figured when you see it fell into the street that it undoubtably was no longer standing..
Actually it fell in, and the front fell into the street.
From now on, if I comment, I will make sure a 6 year old will understand what actually took place.
I am sorry I forgot some have to have it spelled out.

I have hundreds of theater histories.
I have dug them out for 50 years, and just wanted to share, but instead of saying Billy: when did it occur, and do you have pictures of it piled in the street.
It is OH REALLY:
I will no longer try to accomodate by posting my two cents worth:
I have enjoyed going to CT, and reading about other theaters, but I have enough of my own to share with someone who at least appreciates it, and will not come up with some smart remark, as If i do not know what I am talking about…GODDBY—IT IS ALL YOURS…

Here is the actual history of the American in Bonham.
The American was built from ground up and opened by Robb & Rowley
on October, 8 1921.
Major Rogers commander of the American Legion did the honors, and
expressed his appreciation the new theater was named in honor of the
American Legion post
A.B. Scarborough & Will Evans built the American with materials provided by local businesses, while E. W. Morelock & John Stegar Contracted & Supervised the project.
Claude Davis was decorater, and painter was George W. Jones, (not theCountry singer-Lost memory).
It was a very small movie house, but in 1924, H. S. Cole bought the
American & the Best built in 1912.
He later opened the Elite in 1939.
The American was remodeled in 1938, 1948, but in 1954 it had a
massive refurbishing, which caused its appearance to stay mostly the same until it was closed, and later fell into the street…
Hope this clears up the American History.
Billy Holcomb-Don Lewis-Billy Smith

The Lyric was closed in 1936 at which time the building was refurbished, and opened as the Plaza at 109 Commerce on West
side of the Square.
The structure is still in use, and in great condition, but no
longer a theater.
Don Lewis, Billy Smith, Billy Holcomb